The Importance of SELENIUM to Human Health

Adapted from Lancet. 2000 Jul 15;356(9225):233-41

SELENIUM in a nutshell:

An essential trace mineral that is of fundamental importance to human health.

• Selenium (a constituent of selenoproteins) is best known as an antioxidant and catalyst for the production of active thyroid hormone.
• Needed for the proper functioning of the immune system, and appears to be a key nutrient in counteracting the development of virulence and inhibiting HIV progression to AIDS. 
• Required for sperm motility and may reduce the risk of miscarriage. 
• Deficiency has been linked to adverse mood states. 
• Findings have been equivocal in linking selenium to cardiovascular disease risk although other conditions involving oxidative stress and inflammation have shown benefits of a higher selenium status. 
• An elevated selenium intake may be associated with reduced cancer risk. 

Large clinical trials are now planned to confirm or refute this hypothesis. In the context of these health effects, low or diminishing selenium status in some parts of the world, notably in some European countries, is giving cause for concern.